You know when you read a book and it changes the way you view things and the way you make decisions? Beth Terry’s book My Plastic Free Life did just that for me! I like to think that we’re pretty eco-savvy around here but after reading her book I realized that there is so much more we can be doing to reduce the plastic in our life. I think the most eye opening thing I learned from Beth’s book is that BPA Free doesn’t necessarily mean the product is safe. WHAT?!?! I strongly urge you to get a copy of this book as soon as you can because it is a must read.
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to interview Beth and I must say it was really hard to keep my questions to a minimum!
1. What is one thing that someone can do today…right now…to take a step in the plastic free direction?
Commit to stop taking new disposable plastic store bags. Get a few reusable bags to bring with you all the time. I carry a couple of ChicoBags in my purse because even though they are technically plastic (polyester), they are very handy to have and take the place of hundreds of disposable bags.
2. What do you say to those who feel that one person doesn’t really have an impact because the problem is so huge?
I say that all of our personal actions are incredibly important, for several reasons. On a personal level it’s important for us as humans to live responsibly in a way that is in line with our values. And our personal actions have an impact on our families and friends and the people who know us. We are physically healthier by refusing to eat or drink out of plastic containers that contain toxic chemical additives. And getting away from our convenience-based lifestyles can help us eat better. When we stop buying convenience foods packaged in plastic, we have to rely on whole, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as grains, nuts, seeds, and beans from the bulk bins. On a societal level, the personal changes we make help us to see the areas in which our system needs to be changed. For example, if there is a product packaged in plastic that you want to have and you can’t find it plastic-free, then you know it’s time to write to companies or contact your legislators. But you wouldn’t know it was a problem if you weren’t trying to change yourself in the first place.
3. What do you recommend we do with all the plastic food containers they most of us have collected?
We can repurpose them for many different uses. In my book I give a list of ways my readers have suggested reusing old plastic containers. The most popular suggestions are using them to hold non-food items like art supplies, desk supplies, tools and hardware… stuff like that. They can be donated to schools for non-food uses in the classroom. There are lots of things we can do with them rather than tossing them in the landfill.
4. How can we teach our children about the importance of going plastic free without focusing on the negative?
I think the most important step is to set an example ourselves and explain to them why we are making the choices we are making. One of the women I mention in the book, Danielle Richardet, lives in North Carolina with her kids and has reduced their plastic consumption to almost nothing. But she’s generally positive about it. She takes them on fun beach cleanups so they can see the impact of plastic pollution for themselves (you could do this anywhere — not just at the beach), and she lets them make some of their own decisions so they can practice thinking about the consequences of their actions. It’s not always fun, but she definitely doesn’t focus on the negative all the time.
5. Where can people connect with you and become part of the plastic free community? And where can they buy your book?
My book is available anywhere books are sold. Right now, the publisher is running low on copies and has ordered a second printing, but Barnes & Noble has lots of copies in stock in their stores and online. There are also e-books available, and people can order a signed copy directly from me through my site if they wish. For more information and to get involved with the community, please visit MyPlasticFreeLife.com!
Thank you for sharing your answers with us Beth…we all have so much to learn from you!
If you are ready to reduce the plastic in your life and in your home Beth has a list of 95 ways to move towards a plastic free life http://plasticfreeguide.com it’s a great collection of suggestions! Even if you start with just one step…it all makes a difference.
You can connect with Beth via her website on facebook and twitter!
Click here to view the embedded video.
Happy Healthy Reading
Kia
